Kellie Pickler and Derek Hough, pictured here on an earlier episode, won “Dancing with the Stars” tonight.

Kellie Pickler may not have won “American Idol” years ago, but she’s a reality-show champion now.

Despite a final four that could be predicted from almost the first night, “Dancing with the Stars” mustered up some suspense for the last night of Season 16 with two tightly matched couples, Disney Channel star Zendaya and Val Chmerkovskiy and Kellie and Derek Hough. Only one point separated the two couples after four rounds of dance.

In the end, Kellie and Derek overcame that one-point differential to become the winners of this season of “DWTS.” They pulled out some amazing numbers in the final two weeks, notably an understated freestyle that prompted judges Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli to wish they could have awarded 11s. Kellie’s extensions and natural grace made her a standout, and she and Derek shared a warm partnership.

However, Zendaya and Val shouldn’t be counted out, for they too had a wonderful, loving ease and chemistry. Host Tom Bergeron was right when he said Zendaya and Kellie were two of the most compelling finalists “DWTS” ever has had.

In something of a surprise, Baltimore Raven Jacoby Jones and Karina Smirnoff overcame a five-point gap to overtake gymnast Aly Raisman and Mark Ballas for third place. Football fan bases can’t be ignored.

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